Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-14
yyestern E.unatic asylum.

This institution has never been under
more efficient management than at present
no Superintendent since the establishment
OF the asyium, has had clearer and more
comprehensive understanding of the pur-
believes in the beneficial agencies OF light
poses OF such charity than Dr. Conrad. He
and sir-in the sanitary effects of thorough
ventilation, healthy exercise aud suggestive
associations With this view, notifications
have been made in many Of the old arrange
ments, to assure the sun bath, the full play
OF the baimy breezes Of this season Of the
year. innocent exercises on the green sward
under the shade of tho stately trees and in
| other modes where stricter restraints have
TO be observed in certain of the patients.
Through every department this idea is being
carried out, as far as available means will
allow 1t is TO be regretted that the re-
sources Of the institution are too meagre for
the work that ought TO be done. AS it is,
the sanitary arrangements, the notifications
il the interest Of economy, comfort and con-
venience, and 10 aid in the Improvement of
the mental condition OF The unfortunates 5
committed TO the institution, are such as TO
greatly promote the beneficial purposes OF
this great charity.
The capacity of the institution will com
fortably accommodate about $50 patients
TO that number the present buildings should
be limited. But there are at this time 634,
of whom 31S are males ana 316 females In
rooms where there should be four, there are
sometimes six or eight-comfortabl it is
true, but more crowded than they should
be, in the judgment OF the superintendent.
There are applications on file for the ad.
mission Of 317--of whom 154 are males and
16S females. There are, however, no vacant
rooms or beds, according to the report for
the month Of April About two.thirds OF
the patients now in the asylum are incura-
BILE, anG about an average OF one-third OF
those admitted are iucurable. And as the
death rate does not equal the number of in
curables committed TO the institution each
year, it must necessarily follow that it will
not De many years before the present ca
pacity OF the buildings will be com.
manGed by those who are incurabie.
This is Il serious phase of The demands
OF, the insane uDon the care of
the State. In some other commonwealth
provision is made at the asylums for 600
patients, and this ought to oe and will be
the policy Of Virginia IS soon as the condi-
tion Of the treasury will allow it, The pol
icy Of the management is 20 give preference
TO State patients rather than pay patients
as it is State charity, designed primarily
60 provide for those whose friends may not
lie able TO provide for them.
TO pass through the various wards and
enclosures where these unfortunates are
confined, 10 TO awaken the sympathy OF
every one touched with a feeling of human
ty. While neatness ana care are observable
in every department, and in all the appoint
mentS, the fact that one stands III the pres
ence Of shattered reason and the wreck and
ruin of once bright intellec!s, mpresses
the necessity for this benefcent institution,
and she largest liberalitv or the part of the
commonwealth in providing for the needs
of those who, from whatever cause, may be
consigned 10 its walls for treatment. We
trust the time will soon come when no one
with mind diseased" will ask in vain for
admittance. 1t is one of the most
sacred duties that can be imposed
upon - people to care for its afflicted
and helpless-a duty that cannot be shirk-
ed or grudgingy discharged. All that the
means appropriated will allow is being done
to carry out the humane purposes of the in
sttution. The superintendent is keenly
alive to bis responsibilities familiar with
the cause and condition of every patients
ailraent-wth every department and nook
and corner OF the vast establishment, and is
intellgently and wisely using the authority
with which he has been invested, for the
alienation and Improvement OF those who
have been, or may be, entrusted to his
charge. 1t affords Us pleasure to be thus
able to testify, and give the assurance to the
friends Of those who have been bereft oi
reason that they are under kind, intelligent
and sagacous treatment, both as to mind
ann body.
The following figures briefly and intelli-
gently set forth the statistical condition oi
the asylum. They represent its actual con-
ditiou at this writing. Patients were first
admitted into this asylum in August, 1927
over 50 wears ago: